KALAMAZOO, MI -- Protesters who agreed to move their encampment in Bronson Park under the threat of arrest said an alternative location provided by the city of Kalamazoo is inhumane.

Carl Wiseman, one of six people who signed the agreement with the city, said the new situation is unlivable. Weekend storms were not strong enough to wash out protesters from the encampment, but Wiseman said they are dealing with other issues, like exposure to the sun, overflowing toilets, no access to running water, nightly noise from nearby bars and a proximity to dumpsters.

A closed-door negotiation between members of the group and city officials resulted in an agreement, signed by both sides on a document with official city letterhead, on Friday, Aug. 31. It states members of the encampment are allowed to camp overnight until Sept. 30 at a city-owned vacant fire station at 116 West Cedar Street.

In exchange, the city committed to forming a work group to explore short-term and long-term solutions to reduce homelessness and increase options to secure housing and social services. The demonstration began Aug. 19 to highlight a perceived lack of overnight shelter space.

Around 30-40 people are camping outside the vacant former public safety training facility, which is contaminated with asbestos. Two portable toilets were brought to the site, but haven't been serviced as of Tuesday and are full of waste.

"How about they come out here and endure this like we are," Wiseman said. "You know, put our shoes on for a minute ... we're trash to the city. They're giving us the symbolism of that."

City Manager Jim Ritsema agreed that more needs to be done to provide protection from the elements. A large tent will be furnished, he said, for the group to eat and take shelter in during inclement weather.

Ritsema said the portable toilets will be emptied three times a week. A third one will be added to provide an accessible option for people with a disability.

"During this 30 day period we're working with them and will address those issues," Ritsema said.

Three families are being put up in a hotel until they are provided emergency housing from Kalamazoo County. A pregnant woman and two families with young children are staying at the Knight's Inn on the city's dime.

Ann Arbor Attorney Denise Heberle has been advising protesters on their rights and may represent plaintiffs in a case against the city of Kalamazoo. She said Tuesday that the city is not negotiating in good faith.

"They cannot be here another five minutes, and not because the city won't let them because it is uninhabitable," Heberle said.

The demonstration is in a much less prominent location compared to Bronson Park. Heberle said protesters have been tucked away from the public eye, but Ritsema said the Cedar Street property was chosen to give the protest visibility and keep it close to City Hall.

Portable toilets carried the smell of human waste to Freeman Cramer while he rolled cigarettes inside a tent.

The lifelong Kalamazoo resident owns a home on Merrill Street but has lived on the street for two years. His house is uninhabitable but not condemned; a leaking ceiling caused black mold to grow, and Cramer can't afford to make repairs.

After a life of working physically-demanding jobs, Cramer is disabled from a neck injury that could paralyze him if exacerbated. He lives on social security and disability checks.

Cramer, 60, said people in the encampment see each other as family. They are cognizant that their movement could serve as a model for how to organize homeless people toward a common goal.

"We're doing this for homelessness everywhere," Cramer said. "But there are still some things the city needs to open their eyes to."

Wiseman said he has felt more support from the community than negativity. Donations of food items, clothes, sleeping bags and other items to the camp are being dropped off by private citizens.

Last week, Sykes Nehring asked residents to call City Manager Jim Ritsema after he sent an Aug. 26 email to the commission, which indicated his intent to shut down the protest. She later attended closed-door meetings between city officials and members of the encampment, at the latter's request.

Protesters plan to occupy public property until their demands are met. Last week, they successfully petitioned to add a discussion item to the Tuesday City Commission meeting's agenda.

The demands seek solutions to a perceived lack of resources for the homeless in Kalamazoo County, calling for the legalization of sleeping parks, an investigation into practices at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and the construction of a secular shelter and more affordable housing.

Business owners

Business owners on Cedar and Burdick streets said they were not contacted by the city before it sanctioned the encampment nearby.

Jarad Selner, owner of Selner Bros. Music at 117 W. Cedar St., said he has received "nothing but respect" from demonstrators. Selner said he's disappointed that the city is not providing the encampment with food and water.

Last summer, city staff held public meetings to solicit feedback about what the 60-year-old public safety facility should be used for. At the time, Selner hoped it would be a community art space or provide some non-commercial function.

In March, Portage developer Hollander Development Corp. submitted a plan to raze and replace the facility with affordable apartments. Hollander since backed out of an agreement which secured an exclusive right to buy the property.

Selner said it's the perfect opportunity to create a shelter or low-income housing.

"The city is putting the wants and needs of people with mobility over those of whom have no mobility," Selner said.

Ritsema said a new developer, whom he did not name, is showing interest in an affordable housing project at the site.

While standing on the sidewalk Tuesday, Wiseman and Heberle were approached on foot by an irate man.

The man, who did not disclose his name to MLive, said he "raised hell" with the city for not providing public restrooms downtown. He said property owners on Burdick Street have had to clean human waste from doorsteps.

If the encampment is going to be approved by the city, he said the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and other resources should be bringing water and food.

Across the street from the encampment, a representative of The Blue Dolphin restaurant declined to comment.

Each year for nearly four decades, the family-owned business provides Christmas dinner at the restaurant and delivers meals to Ministry with Community and the Rickman House.

In letters to the City Commission, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, several residents and downtown business owners complained of behavior by homeless people in Bronson Park and the downtown area.

Statements received Aug. 20-28 showed complaints of aggressive panhandling, public intoxication and defecation and other unsavory behavior.